James was educated at Eton College and at Brasenose
College, Oxford, and is a direct contemporary of the British Prime Minister,
David Cameron. As a journalist he has written about and reported from
both Afghanistan and Pakistan for over 16 years. A frequent speaker on Islamic affairs on
national television and radio, and a regular lecturer on the military circuit,
he is a noted expert on the Taliban, having met with numerous senior figures in
the Afghan insurgency.

What the audience can
expect

James believes that the West can achieve what it most wants
from its mission in Afghanistan: security from attack by Al Qaeda.
However, in order for this to work, the West must first radically alter the way
it views the Taliban – a movement that, in James’s eyes, remains poorly
understood even after a decade of Western engagement in the region.

According to James, the same is true of Islam itself – more so than ever in light of the Arab Spring. Islam is not only the second largest religion on the planet after Christianity, but also the fastest growing; indeed, some analysts predict that Muslims will outnumber Christians by 2023. James argues that as the world becomes more crowded, the West has little choice but to come to an accommodation with Islam – an accommodation that can only begin with dialogue based on greater mutual understanding and respect.

LanguagesJames presents in English.

StyleMiddle East Expertise, Motivational.

Further informationTo find out what James Fergusson could bring to your event or to make a booking, please contact Alice Saunders.